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Is Michelle the New Oprah?
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John Stillwell / AP Photo
The G-20 trip has kicked Mighty Michelle up to a whole new level.
It’s interesting how the view from abroad can shift and remake perceptions of homegrown celebrities, the ones who are part of the gross domestic product.
American women already admired Michelle Obama before she left for London—her popularity rating had risen 18 points, to 72 percent, since September—but the TV coverage in the last two days has dialed her up dramatically to another level. Suddenly she has zoomed past Oprah as the inspirational It Girl and iconic female African-American role model.
Oprah’s stock in trade has always been her powerful unmediated connection. She could feel your pain and empower you to talk about it. In doing so (as long as it was Oprah you chose to talk to), you were redeemed.
But when you become a juggernaut business franchise, authenticity can't help transmuting into something manufactured. It’s the need to feed the beast, to raise the stakes, to keep the act fresh, to maintain the monster ratings. Slowly but surely, you become a brand, not a person. You might as well have a little R in a circle next to your name.
“No wonder she has become the new hugger-in-chief.”
Looking at the news clips from London of Michelle next to all the other well-put-together first ladies, there’s a red-blooded realness to her that almost makes you feel the warmth of those long, sculpted arms. No wonder she has become the new hugger-in-chief. The most frequent thing people said to me about Princess Diana when I was conducting interviews for my biography was that she could create a circle of intimacy in the middle of a crowd. Those quivering antennae of the Princess could pick up the neediness of some unremarkable person in the room, lock into their gaze, and make them feel special. And when Michelle stooped down from her powerful height in those big fat pearls to embrace each of the little girls at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, it was Di time all over again.
There has been much speculation about how the Queen must have felt when Michelle, at their celebrated first meeting alongside the president and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace last night, not only broke the touching taboo but rubbed the monarch’s back in sisterly solicitude. How did she feel? I think she felt fine. The Queen has encountered every kind of despot, social climber, toady, oleaginous potentate, and arrogant bastard in her time, and I am told that when she’s “on,” very little actually penetrates except how quickly she can run out the clock. She instantly freezes over when she senses she is disrespected. But that wasn’t the case here at all. In fact, it was Elizabeth herself who first broke the touch barrier, making the motherly gesture of putting her arm lightly around Michelle.
Click Image Below to View Our Gallery of Michelle's London Style
As for the iPod gift, I thought it was inspired. The vaults of Buckingham palace are groaning with priceless, useless freebies from foreign dignitaries. The last thing the Queen needs is one more jewel-embossed box, priceless illuminated manuscript, or unwieldy golden galleon that will be immediately dispatched to the butler’s pantry, to be flogged off on eBay the following week by whoever gets first dibs.
The tiny apartments in towns and cottages in the shires occupied by retired royal servants are often dollhouse versions of the royal palaces, stuffed with the loot they have either stolen or had given to them by their masters in an act of bounty to compensate for churchmouse salaries.
What was striking about the Windsor-Obama tableau was how tiny and antique the Queen seemed next to these high-flying extraterrestrial giants. She looked like a small girl on a visit to Stonehenge.
In the photograph on the front page of yesterday’s New York Post, some trick of the light made Her Majesty seem to be literally fading from the picture between these robust messengers from a made-over world. But then again, the monarch, who has greeted 11 American presidents in her 57 years on the throne, has seen an awful lot of hopeful messengers of the future fade into the past. She probably saw the thoroughly charming Obamas more matter-of-factly and less fraught with symbolism than the rest of us felt as we gazed at this unlikely trio.
Tina Brown is the founder and editor in chief of The Daily Beast. She is the author of the 2007 New York Times best seller The Diana Chronicles. Brown is the former editor of Tatler, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Talk magazines and host of CNBC's Topic A with Tina Brown.
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Tina Brown is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast. She is the author of the 2007 New York Times best seller The Diana Chronicles. Brown is the former editor of Tatler, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Talk magazines and host of CNBC's Topic A with Tina Brown.
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Tina Brown is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast. She is the author of the 2007 New York Times best seller The Diana Chronicles. Brown is the former editor of Tatler, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Talk magazines and host of CNBC's Topic A with Tina Brown.
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Tina Brown is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast. She is the author of the 2007 New York Times best seller The Diana Chronicles. Brown is the former editor of Tatler, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Talk magazines and host of CNBC's Topic A with Tina Brown.
The Daily Beast Video curates the most essential and entertaining video, and brings you original and exclusive productions from our talented contributors.
Dear Tina,
I've been meaning to tell you: You are one hell of a writer. Your writing is fresh-squeezed, intelligent without being pedantic and really a fun ride. Yeah, I know...you passed the audition a long time ago and don't need to be told you're good. But I just discovered your writing, so I get to comment like the new fan that I am.
Popularity is a wonderful thing. Obscures the person most effectively.
The Obamas have charm, an easy way with people, intelligence and comfortable good looks. No doubt this contributes to the mystic being created around them.
Does any of this image analysis/creation help Mr. Obama do his job? I sure hope so, because we getting an awful lot of it right now
I think what makes Michelle so appealing, is that she does it all, but not all at the same time. She doesnt' try to ingratiate herself, she just does what she thinks is right.
Oprah is limited, as stellar a businesswoman as she is, she has never juggled marriage and children - she rules her world and has never had to face the complexities or compromises which Michelle has.
Michelle has excelled academically, had a high-flying career, put that on hold for her husband's career, and tempered her duties as First Lady to accommodate the needs of her family, especially her young children, as they make the transition to the role of First Family.
Michelle is stylish without being shallow and motherly without being self-abnegating. She is educated without being elitist and inspiring without being shrill. She is a wife who is both devoted and independent.
Michelle is complex and graceful, adventurous and steady. She is truly a woman who defies easy categorization, a feminist for all seasons.
Well said, smdunne! I think you described Michelle Obama beautifully. She does have to face the complexities of being a First lady, and does so with style, intelligence, grace and compassion.
And that is what is she is: a remarkable mother and first lady. Perhaps she should be compared to past First Ladys. Or maybe, she shouldn't be compared at all, simply respected for her wonderful job of being a role model for our country.
If any little girl says, "I want to be like Oprah," or "I want to be like Michelle Obama," they're BOTH aspiring for greatness.
Have to say, Michelle Obama at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson school brought tears to my eyes. Great message "It's cool to be smart".
My sister teaches in an Inner London comprehensive which is 80% black. This message is so important for those girls.
Nice piece Tina.
There is no need to compare Oprah and Michelle. The world is big enough for two brilliant, accomplished black women. I agree with the take on "the touch," however. The queen did not cringe at it and, in fact, seemed pleased to be near her new BFF.
I agree with JayFish, Tina. This is a beautifully written piece. Thank you.
Michelle Obama makes me very, very proud to be an American, and I have waited a long 8 years to feel that surge of pride again. When she addressed the young girls at the London school, I cried. What a wonderful message, and what a truly inspiring role model.
I agree with all of the posts here. But let me add this. Why do I truly admire Michelle? I admire her because she truly is a First Lady of the 21st Century. Why do you ask? Because in many ways... she's the LEAST presidential. And by that I mean, of what we've come to expect of the presidential wives. She's from a humble background, has a high level education, successful, happily married with family and she did it all without privilege. And the fact is she's just cool!
The Queen has seen 11 Presidents. And from what I've read from insiders she hasn't liked a single wife in the White House on a personal level in more then 30 years. So it speaks volumes that this grandmotherly figure surrounded by pomp and circumstance, pride and privilege... should break a major protocal, and reach over to Michelle with a hug and a smile and whisper... "Lets keep in touch".
Gush Gush Gush......
Omg.....
I think Im going to puke
This article guarantees Tina Brown unlimited access to Michelle Obama in circle. Keep up Tina! You are safe for 4, may be 8 years!
I agree with JayFish, Tina. Reading your pieces is such a thrill! Thank you!
Join Michelle for President 2016: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=74436816927&ref=mf
You can never start too soon!
not smart contrasting michelle and oprah.....get a shrink
I believe the symbolism of a black American first lady meeting with the Queen of England merits being articulated.
The British Royal Family profited from the slave trade, after all.
i agree with opedanderson. yeah, michelle is a decent first lady but seriously . . she is not a god. It is nauseating to read some of your posts. I think Hillary Clinton was a great first lady.
I see now why you can't hold a job: Your judgment is, well, ungrounded.
Michelle Obama is a true American icon. She has star power and she's authentic.
But for this writer, I love the fact she is tall. Not tall and skinny like some waif-ish model, but tall and proud; like an Amazon.
Being a tall woman is this time of shrinking violets (not to mention all the constant nonsense about female weight in media and TDB)
is a wonderful, powerful thing to be.
Ms. Brown, this is a delicious piece of writing, and I thank you for it. Of all the UK commentary I've heard this week vis-a-vis the President's first trip abroad, I've enjoyed yours, and Christopher Hitchens', the most. Your view somehow has more "oomph" and you write in such a relevant manner.
I'm watching President Obama's French-German Town Hall from this morning, and it's amazing to see an American President reach out in such a manner. It's an amazing and interesting time, isn't it?
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
Tina, I don't have a problem with all the fan fare that everyone is making about the first lady, but I do have a problem with the way you refer to her as Michelle. I've noticed that you and a lot of the other news journalist always call the president and first lady "Barack or Barack Obama or Michelle". I never heard or saw you in all of your previous writings refer to the ex president or first lady as "George or Laura". Where is the respect that this president and first lady deserved?
I should also add that compared to Michelle, Oprah is self-made and highly successful.
Oprah is also more talented, articulate, probably smarter, and from men's point of view (noting there will be exceptions), more attractive than Michelle.
Maybe you should have married O, Barack!
Thank God that America now has a hugger in chief.
And it was nice there a nice human interest story that came out of this meeting.
We need more of that.
Of course no one should butcher the Queen's English, but hugs say what words pretend to say, and the spelling doesn't even matter. What matters is not stepping on toes when hugging.
Ms. Brown,
I'm curious. Why did you feel it necessary to call Michelle an African-American role model? I find it blatantly racist to label people by race, and you're supposed to be a liberal.
The World and America is SO HUNGRY for change and respect. Just further proof of the damage of the Bush presidency that 25% of neo-con Americans continue to be in denial about. Loving this.
Oh my, yesterday's puff piece on Michelle was nauseating enough but this one takes the cake.
I will say that Michelle's words to the girls in the school in London were words that all girls should hear and often. It is indeed cool to be smart. I hope Michelle gets to a microphone often and repeats those words every chance she gets.
Michelle is a fashion disaster. I've never seen her in any attire that's appropriate. Barack looked frumpy and wrinkled today as well. No amount of spin can change that.
Carla Bruni looked beautiful in her gray dress today. Perfection. Mr. Sarkozy looked very sharp as well. The French really do understand fashion. Wow. Now, that's an impressive couple.
As for the Ipod gift to the Queen, it was the height of arrogance for Obama to have it pre loaded with his OWN speeches. Who would want that? The signed songbook was a good choice as the Queen likes the Oklahoma musical.
The video tapes of the event show Michelle put her arm around the Queen first and the Queen quite graciously reciprocated so as not to embarrass Michelle. Michelle should not have done that. Check online to view them.
I agree there is no need to compare Michelle and Oprah. Why would you? Both are accomplished women in their own right. I was disappointed when Oprah endorsed Barack over Hillary as Oprah built her career and fortune on the backs of women by telling women for years how we must support each other and when the time came to prove she meant what she said she chose race over gender.I felt Oprah betrayed women at that point.
Diana & Michelle: I don't think that's an apt comparison at all. Diana's caring response to people was rooted in her vulnerability and insecurity, whereas Michelle simply shares and radiates her strength. So when she hugged the schoolgirls in London, it was just a spontaneous act of affection, and her message to them was: your education makes you strong.
Thank you.
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